Food Safety: Keeping food safe is the first step to better health. Food borne illnesses will occur when food safety measures are not taken. Hygiene is an important factor in food safety. Wash your hands before and after preparation of meals. Cross contamination is also an important factor to consider. Do not let meat, poultry and seafood come into contact with other foodstuffs. This may cause cross contamination. Always keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. In case of a power outage, perishable foods should not be held above 40 degrees for more than 2 hours. If the power outage is two hours or less, there is no reason for concern. Discard items that were kept out longer. Food must be kept refrigerated below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and frozen food must be kept at or ... [more..]

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  Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating foods that have harmful organisms in them. These harmful germs can include bacteria, parasites, and viruses. They are mostly found in raw meat, chicken, fish, and eggs, but can spread to any type of food. They can also grow on food that is left out on counters or outdoors or is stored too long before you eat it. Sometimes food poisoning happens when people do not wash their hands before they touch food. Food poisoning is a common, usually mild, but sometimes deadly illness. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea that occur suddenly (within 48 hours) after consuming a contaminated food or drink. Depending on the contaminant, fever and chills, bloody stools, dehydration, and nervous system damage may follow. Causes Bacteria cause food poisoning either by their sheer numbers or, more commonly, ... [more..]